Zunaira from Balochistan shines at COP29 as she calls for youth inclusion in climate action

Zunaira, a 14-year-old UNICEF Climate Champion and award-winning researcher from Hub district in Balochistan, captivated delegates at COP29 as the youngest representative at the global climate summit, according to Associated Press of Pakistan.

Speaking at Pakistan’s COP29 Pavilion event, titled “Green Skills: What Do Young People Want?”, she called for policy changes to ensure youth involvement in climate decision-making and emphasised the need for practical climate solutions.

Zunaira shared her journey, discussing her determination to educate herself and other girls about climate change despite cultural barriers.

“Youth want climate education, renewable energy, clean drinking water, and to be part of decision-making processes,” she said. Her efforts to bring climate education to her school serve as a powerful example of youth-led initiatives tackling environmental issues.

Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam opened the session with a powerful statement: "Youth is our future, but it is our present. They are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the harbingers of change today."

Alam underscored the immediate need for inclusive climate action, noting that environmental hazards, such as air pollution and smog, especially affect Pakistani children. “It’s high time for all to unite for strong climate action and avoid falling into the trap of global pledges that fail to materialise,” she said.

Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), emphasised the need to view youth as central to addressing climate challenges.

"Climate change is both a challenge and an opportunity,” he said, noting that a recent survey identified climate change as young people’s top concern globally. He advocated for green skills in education and job creation, particularly in sectors like climate-smart agriculture and digital technologies.

Ahmed Iqbal Chaudhary, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in the Punjab Assembly, pointed out the disconnect between Pakistan’s youthful population and its older political leadership. He called for more youth representation in local governance and better infrastructure suited to the needs of both young people and women.

Janeeta Awan, founder of Rebuild Earth, described her journey in sustainable entrepreneurship, using eco-bricks made from plastic waste to create shelters for stray animals. “The green economy creates sustainable employment and drives entrepreneurship,” she stated, stressing the growing need for green jobs.

Member of the National Assembly Syeda Amna Batool, who serves as a focal person for the PM Youth Programme, underscored the importance of youth-centred climate initiatives, such as the Green Youth Hub, in addressing the aspirations and frustrations of young Pakistanis.

“If we don’t address the needs and aspirations of our youth, we risk turning them into an angry and disillusioned generation,” she warned.

The question session delved into the environmental impact of unchecked real estate expansion, with MPA Chaudhary citing the sector’s effect on agricultural land and emissions. Dr Suleri further called for a shift from reactive to anticipatory climate strategies to secure sustainable policy outcomes.

The Green Skills event at COP29 highlighted the urgency of including youth in climate decisions and equipping them with tools to foster a sustainable future. With young people increasingly at the forefront of climate action, empowering them through green skills and sustainable job opportunities has become not only necessary but transformative.